In most applications, our outbound connection connects the edge node device to our server. This is a device specific connection that does not allow browsing of the local network, so there is no need for the local IT department to block access to other devices.

No. Our system does not require any incoming ports to be open. The data connection is made by the edge node from the equipment location to our server using https messages and TLS security certificates. The security certificates assure that the connection will be made only to the designated data server. If you are going through the local network to the internet, we can use an outgoing open port or we can connect out using your local proxy server.

Does allowing remote connectivity mean my equipment is potentially accessible from anywhere on the internet?Amanda Weldon2017-10-31T15:24:12+00:00

Yes. Some customers feel strongly that allowing write access or program downloads is unsafe for their equipment or industry. For these customers, the EdgeScout hosted server acts as a “data diode.” In other words, data is allowed to move from the equipment to the cloud server allowing authorized users to see reports, but no data is permitted to go from the outside world into the remote equipment.

No. Unlike traditional VPN solutions, the user accounts do not reside at each site. Customers use a single login to access all of their sites. The customer has administrative rights to their assets and can add, delete, and modify users for their equipment. If an employee leaves the company, an administrator can delete them from the entire system with a few mouse clicks.

Can I edit all of the web page information?Amanda Weldon2017-10-31T15:18:57+00:00

Some of our customers choose to make edits to HTML pages, but there are some limitations on what you will be able to change. We typically provide configuration options so that you are self-sufficient in deploying individual projects.

Can we make changes to the website ourselves?Amanda Weldon2017-10-31T15:16:27+00:00

We provide a complete working solution rather than a do-it-yourself toolkit. However, we are able to build in user configured options. For example, many OEMs require a configuration tab where they can specify specific equipment parameters. A pump station OEM might want to select the number and types of pumps, configure tank ranges, and enable/disable other features. These settings will change the screens and reports to match the configured settings. Other typical user defined fields include email/text notifications, trending chart pens, data report ranges, etc. Some of our customers get a bit deeper into defining and modifying the applications. It’s a matter of understanding what type of flexibility is required by the customer and building those options into the asset model.

Can we have a custom website that contains our company logo?Amanda Weldon2017-10-31T15:13:59+00:00

Yes. We can provide a custom branded website using your company logo as well as fonts and colors to match your company website or marketing collateral. We can use a unique URL so that there is no reference to our company or logo. In addition, we specialize in developing branded smartphone apps and getting them published on the Apple and Google Play stores.

Does the EdgeScout solution require a PC at each remote site?Amanda Weldon2017-10-31T15:12:09+00:00

We do not require a PC at remote sites. PCs require a significant amount of maintenance, so we typically use an industrial device called an edge node. The edge node performs local data collection, stores data, and forwards it to the hosted server. If a particular application requires a PC for other reasons, then we can most likely use that PC as our edge node.

My equipment has many options. Do I need a separate asset for every configuration?Amanda Weldon2017-10-31T15:11:02+00:00

EdgeScout is a turnkey solution, so we typically do not require software development hours from the end user’s or an OEM engineering department. We will have meetings with your engineers to help guide us to a solution that will work with existing equipment and provide them with configuration options, but we do not require them to develop programs or applications.

Although some of our customers choose to use VPN, this is not what we typically recommend. VPN solutions were designed to allow a user to log into their companies private network. With VPN, the incoming connection could come from literally anywhere in the world. Once connected, the user could potentially start browsing the customer’s network.

Our connectivity is an outbound connection from the edge node device to our server. There is no ability to browse via the edge node. Customers logging into our server have access only to the data collected via the edge node, and only to the specific nodes assigned to their user account. Customers log in using signed security certificates and two factor authentication. This security and authentication process is similar to the technology used when logging into an online banking account.

Does RRAMAC have training classes on how to use EdgeScout?Amanda Weldon2017-10-31T16:16:23+00:00

Our goal is to provide a website and/or smartphone app for your equipment that is intuitive enough to not require training. We can put together training on how to use EdgeScout as part of a project if desired. General training videos are an addition that RRAMAC is currently developing.

Is EdgeScout a turnkey solution?Amanda Weldon2017-10-31T15:05:27+00:00